Fireproof construction.



PATENTED DEC. 6, 1904.

W. A. KENNEDY. FIREPROOP CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25. 1904.

N0 MODEL.

Al/orney UNITED STATES Patented December 6, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,916, dated December6, 1904.

Application filed May 25, 1904. Serial No. 209,725. (No model.)

Ton/Z1 1117mm, if; nut concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. K answer. a citizen of the United States,residing at W ashington, inthe District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful improvements in Fireproof Construction. of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a fireproof construction, and particularly toa structure composed of concrete and hollow blocks to secure the maximumofstrength and lire protection at a minimum of weight and cost ofconstruction.

The invention has for an dbject to provide parallelgirders havingintersecting transverse concrete key-beams anda series of abuttinghollow blocks parallel with said girders and supported by an inclinedcontact-surface upon said key-beams at their opposite ends.

. Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will behereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof delin'ed by theappended claims.

lln the drawings, Figure l is a plan showing the application of theinvention; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section thereof with a superposedconcrete flooring provided; Fig. 3, a transverse vertical sectionthrough one of the girders; Fig. a, a detail perspective of an Lgirderin connection with a metallic block and key:

beam; and Fig.- 5, a similar view of a modified application of theinvention, showing the formation of the girderfrom concrete ma terial.

' Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figuresof the drawings.

The letter A designates girders or beams of any desired or usualconstruction and extending parallel with each other. These beams maycomprise the ordinary I-beam, as shown in Figs. 1' and 4, or this girdermay be composed of concrete material, as shown at A in Fig. 5, thecharacter and construction'thereof being adapted to the floorweight tobe supvported therefrom. By the use of the term concrete herein 1 referto any character of cement composition adapted to set and form anartificial stone-structure as usual in this art. Extending transverselybetween the girders A are a series of concrete key-beams B, molded inposition as hereinafter described, and the opposite sides of these beamsare inclined outwardly toward thelower end oi the beam, as at B, so asto form a wedge-shaped key adapted to cooperate with asimilarly-inclined face C upon the opposite ends of the tile,sheet1nctal, or other hollow blocks (3, which extend parallel to thegirders A and are supported at their opposite ends by the.

concrete key-beams As shown in Fig. 1", a series of these blocks areplaced side by side with their edges abutting, and are lirml y supportedby an extended contact at the opposite ends thereof.

if it be desired to brace the key-beams B for the purpose ofstrengthening the same, rods B may be disposed therein, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2, and are adapted to rest at their opposite ends upon thebase-flange A of the girder A, which also supports the opposite ends ofthe key-beams B, carried thereon. In some classes of work it has alsobeen found desirable to provide a reinforcing-rod (l in the base of theblocks 0, as shown in Fig. 2, which at its opposite ends C) may beextended about one of the rods B embedded in the keybeams.

in Fig. 2 the blocks and beams are surmounted by a concrete flooring l),by which additional arching strength is. secured between the oppositegirders A, and if found desirable a suitablycorrugated strengthing-strip.1) may be disposed within this flooring and extended longitudinally ofthe girders. ln Fig. 4 the construction is such that the girder ex.-tends above the block, so that a tile, wooden, or other desiredcharacter of flooring may be applied, while in Fig. 5 a structure offloor particularly adapted for lighter weights is shown, wherein theblock itseli forms by its opposite faces both the flooring and ceilingbeneath.

The invention may be applied in any desired manner; but a preferablemethod of constructing'the same consists of disposing temare disposed inproper position and the rods also extended between the opposite girderswhen the concrete materialfor the beam is properly placed in position,thus embedding the girders and forming a downwardly-extending wedge-key,which effectually prevents any movement of the blocks and supports theentire surface at the opposite ends thereof, so that there can be noloosening from expansion or contraction. After this key-beam has becomeset thecross-pieces are removed, thus providing a centered ceiling andone which for many purposes can be used without any further finishing.It will also be noted that in this construction the block is notconnected to nor supported by the girders extending parallel thereto,but owing to thewedgeshaped-key an extended arch-support is securedthroughout the length of the beam, the key-beams comprising practicallya keystone of an arch structure, so that a maximum of resisting strengthagainst downward strain is secured with the minimum weight of material,which provides a structure particularly adapted for use in fireproofbuildings, in which the hollow blocks afford both a heat-resisting andsound-deadening structure, while also materially decreasing the weightof the floor structure and the consequent danger of collapsing of anarch between opposite girders. This structure also permits alongerlength of span than ordinary in this class of work, which spans can bereinforced in any desired manner, as herein illustrated, depending uponthe load to be carried. Under light loads the block may be used to formboth the floor and ceiling structure, While, if desired, for heavierloads the superposed flooring-arch may be used, and the key beams orribs molded about the. blocks secure an accurate fit, so that allfinishing of irregularities upon the terra-cotta blocks is avoided and aclose tight joint between the several parts secured. The blocks may beof any desired material-for instance, metal sheets, as shown in Fig. 4.

It will be obvious that changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and configuration Without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A fireproofconstruction comprising parallel girders, a series ofhollow blocks having upwardly-divergent ends and arranged parallel toand in side contact with each other,.

wardlydivergent sides abutting the up wardly-divergent ends of saidblocks, said blocks and transverse beams extending in a common planebelow said girders, whereby a flush under surface is produced and thegirder incased therein.

3. Afireproof construction comprising parallel girders, transverseconcrete key-beams having downwardly-divergent sides, blocks havingupwardly-divergent ends contacting with the surface of said key-beams,and reinforcing-rods carried by said block and embedded in saidkey-beams.

4. A fireproof construction comprising parallel girders, transverseconcrete key-beams having downwardly-divergent sides, blocks havingupwardly-divergent ends contacting with the surface of said key-beams,supporting-rods extending between the opposite girders through saidkey-beams, and a reinforcing-rod carried by said blocks and engagingsaid supporting-rods.

5. A fireproof construction comprising parallel girders, transverseconcrete key-beams having downwardly-divergent sides, blocks havingupwardly-divergent ends contacting with the surface of said key-beams,supporting-rods extending between the opposite girders through saidkey-beams, a reinforcing-rod carried by said blocks and engaging saidsupporting-rods, a superposed concrete flooring above said beams andblocks, and a metallic strengthening-strip disposed within saidflooring.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses-WILLIAM A. KENNEDY. Witnesses:

ALFRED T. GAGE, JOHN E. LANSDALE.

